System and apparatus for circuit controlling



Dec. 15, 1936. F. w. GoDsEY. JR

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCUIT CVONTROLLING Original Filed OCT.. 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 15, 1936. F w, GODSEY, JR 2,063,997

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCUIT CONTROLLING Original Filed OCT.. 22, 1930 2 SheetS--Sheei 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1936 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOB CIRCUIT CONTROLLING Frank W. Godsey, Jr., New Haven, Conn., signor to The Safety Car Heating & Lighting Oompany, a corporation of New Jersey original pacman october 2z, issn, serial No.

490,460. Divided and this application November 12, 1931, Serial No. 574,515

19 Claims.

This invention'relates to apparatus for circuit controlling and more particularly to a circuit maker and breaker.

One of the objects oi this invention is to provide a simple, compact and inexpensive relay construction adapted dependably and emciently to respond to failure of or change in certain characteristics in an electric circuit with which it is associated. Another object is to provide a simple and reliable relay adapted to be operated from a source of intermittent energy and rendered inoperative upon a complete failure or de-energization or disconnection of the intermittent source. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above-mentioned character which may be simple and economically produced, and which is well adapted to meet the varying atmospheric conditions encountered in actual use. Another object of this invention is to providea simple and thoroughly practical relay in which outside temperature effects on the relay are compensated for in a simple, direct and thoroughly practical manner, and in which the disturbance from outside temperature effects is dependably andj,`efllciently .minimized Other objects will bevinfp'art obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

This application 'is a division of my application Serial No.. 490,460 for System and apparatus for circuit controllingl led October 22, 1930. y

..0 The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a circuit arrangement and of associated devices of an electrical system embodying certain features of my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a relay diagrammatically represented in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the relay, as seen from the top of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view, as seen from the under side of Figure 2, certain parts,' however, being indicated diagrammatically;

Figure 5 shows in plan two parts of the relay of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a plan view of an electric heating unit forming part of the relay of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a plan view of an insulating member associated with the relay;

Figure 8 is a development of a sheet metal cas- (Cl. 20o-#122) ing or cover for certain parts of the relay of Figure 2, and

Figure 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Similar reference characters refer to similar 5 parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, I have shown at I0 a suitable source of current supplying energy, through the conductors or line 10 wires II and I2, to a translating device I3 which, -for purposes of better illustration of certain features of my invention, preferably takes the form of an intermittently operated device such as the electric lamp of a buoy, flashing signal, 15 beacon, orthe like, mounted on any suitable support diagrammatically indicated at I4.

The circuit of the lamp I3 is controlled by a switch generally indicated at I5 adapted, by means of any suitable form of device diagram 20 matically indicated at I6, intermittently to bridge the switch contacts II--I3. The device I6 may take am1 suitable form; for example, it may be. actuated by clock mechanism or it may be electrically actuated in any suitable manner. But the 25 details of thisdevicel do not per se form part of my invention and hence need not be further described. Where the translation device I3 takes the form, as illustratively' pointed out above, of a flashing signal, the device I6 may effect a closure of the circuit of lamp I3 for a period of, for example, two seconds and effect an opening of the circuit for a succeeding time interval of, for example, three seconds, the resultant illuminating and extinguishing of the lamp I3 being continued 35 in recurring cycles.

-In a signaling system of the above described character, it is vitally important that failure of the power supply to the lamp I3 or failure of the lamp I3 itself be promptly detected and remedied. Accordingly, I provide another lamp I9 mounted on the support Il preferably alongside of the lamp I3 and lamp I9, which may b e termed the emergency lamp which is to be brought into action upon failure of proper operation of the main signal 45 lamp I3. L

Auxiliary or emergency lamp I9'is connected in a stand-by or auxiliary circuit which includes a suitable auxiliary source of current such as a battery 20 and a timer relay or device generally in- 50 dicated at 2I-,and conveniently taking the form of the device IS-II--IB above described in connection with the main/signaling circuit.

Thecircuit of the emergency lamp I9 extends from the auxiliary source of current or battery 55 20, thence by way of conductor 22 to a terminal 23 of a relay generally indicated at 24 and from another terminal 25 of the relay 24 the circuit is continued by way of conductor 26, thence through the timer relay 2|, conductor 21, lamp I9 and by way of conductor 28 back to the other side of the battery 20. y,

Considering now the detailed construction of the relay 24, reference may rst be made to Figure 2 of the drawings. Relay 24 includes a glass bulb 29 exhausted to a pressure on the order of 0.1 millimeter supported on a base member 30 through the bottom of which extend four connecting terminals or spring contact tips 23, 25, 3| and 32 (Figure 4) suitably insulated one from the other. Bulb 29 has a reentrant stem 33 (Figure 2) upon which are supported the active parts of the relay.

As is better shown in Figure 2, a suitable wire 34 of sufficient rigidity and in electrical connection with Contact stud or terminal 25 passes through the reentrant stem 33 and supports a bimetallic relay member 35 shaped substantially as shown in both Figures 2 and 5. Member 35 will thus be seen to be of a generally rectangular shape and at its upper end, as seen in Figures 2 and 5, carries a platinum contact button 36.

In Figure l the member 35 is shown in longitudinal cross-section and its bi-metallic character will be seen to be plainly indicated. It comprises two united strips 35* and 35b of dissimilar metals, these metals having such relative temperature coeicients of expansion that, upon increase in temperature, member 35, as viewed in Figure 1, being anchored at its left-hand end, bends or warps in a direction to carry contact button 35 upwardly. That is, the strip 35b expands less rapidly than the strip 35, with the above described resultant action.

A wire 31 (Figure 2) of suflicient rigidity and in electrical connection with the connecting stud 23 passes through the reentrant stem 33 and supports a bi-metallic member 33 in coacting relation with respect to the bi-metallic member 35. Member 38 is shaped substantially as shown in Figures 2 and 5, being L-shaped but inverted, the free end of the short arm carrying a contact button 39a (see also Figure `1) for coaction with the contact button 36 on member 35.

Bi-metallic member 38 may be similar to strip 35 and is thus made of two strips 0f dissimilar metals, strip 38EL and strip 38", so that increase in temperature of the member 38 causes such a bending or warping thereof as to move the contact button 39 upwardly, asviewed in Figure 1.

Bi-metallic member 38 has associated with it an electric heating device made up preferably of two heating units 39 and 40 (see Figure 9) each unit comprising preferably a suitable heat-resisting and insulating support 4I (see Figure 6) such as mica about which is wound a resistance wire 42 of, for example, chrome nickel.

As appears better in Figure 9, the bi-metallic member 38 extends between the two heater units 39--40, suitable mica sheets 43, 44 serving elec.- trically to insulate the heater units from the member 38. These mica sheets are shaped substantially as shown in Figure 1. The mica sheets 43, 44, however, are relatively good conductors of heat and thus the heat effect produced in the heater units 39, 40, is effectively transmitted to the bi-metallic member 38.

Against the outer sides of the heater units 39 and 40 are plac i sheets 45 and 48 (see Figure 9) of mica preferably of the same shape as the mica sheets 43, 44 (see also Figure '7) and about this symmetrical assemblage of the lai-metallic member 38 with the mica insulating sheets and the heater units 33, 40 there is wrapped a sheet of sheet metal to form a casing 41. The sheet metal of casing 41 is shaped as shown in Figure 8, being provided with tabs 41* and 41b adapted to be bent inwardly over the upper and lower ends respectively of themica members 44, 4I and 43, these tabs preventing longitudinal displacement of these parts, while the leftand right-hand end walls, as seen in Figure 9, of the casing 41 act to prevent lateral displacement of these parts.

'I'he sheet metal of casing 41 is provided also with tabs or anges 41 and 41e adapted to overlap respectively the upper and lower ends of the mica members 45, 4I and 43 for holding these parts against longitudinal displacement, the rightand left-hand end walls of the casing 41, as seen in Figure 9, preventing lateral displacement of these parts. A tab or ange 411 (see Figures 8 and 9) overlaps the upper edge of the left-hand side wall of the casing 41 and is spot-welded to the latter. Member 38 bends in the space between parts 43, 44.

The resistance wire 42 of the heater units 38 and 40, the latter being preferably connected in series, is connected to the terminal posts or contact studs 3| and 32, as is diagrammatically indicated in Figure l by suitable conductors that pass through the reentrant stern 33 (Figure 2).

'I Suitable supports, preferably in the form of platinum wire of sufilcient rigidity and indicated in Figure 2 at 48 serve to support the casing and related parts with respect to the reentrant stem 33.

Considering now the operation of the system and apparatus above described, and referring now again to Figure 1, it may rst be assumed that the device I8 is functioning normally to open and close the circuit of signal lamp I3 in recurring cycles, causing the lamp I 3 to ash. Conductors 49 and 50 connect the switch contacts I1-I3 to the terminal studs 3I-32 of the relay 24, thus bridging the resistance units 39-40 across the switch contacts I1-I9. Ihe resistance units are therefore energized by an intermittently flowing current, the current flowing during those ltime intervals when the lamp I3 is in darkness. The ohmic resistance of the heater units is so selected that the current flowing in the circuit when the switch I5 .is open is insufllcicnt to cause eective illumination of the lamp I3 and is preferably high enough in value compared to the resistance of the lamp itself that the voltage drop through an operative condition, and as long as the trans-v mission line II-I2 remains effective and as long as no failure of the source of current I0 `takes place, the heater units 39--40 are effectively energized, producing a sufllcient e'ective heating of the bi-metallic member 38 to cause the latter to assume and maintain such a position that the contact button 38* is held out of contact with the contact button 36. Thus the auxiliary or stand-by circuit of the emergency lamp I9 is held open at the contact buttons 36--39.

As soon, however, as this intermittent energizing current of the heater units 39-40 fails, due, for example, to a burning out of the lamp I3, or to the disruption of the translation line |I-I2 or due to the failure of the source of current I0,

the heating energy supplied the units 39-43 ceases, the maintenance or the bi-metallic member 38 at the intended relatively high temperature ceases and, upon the resultant lowering in temperature of the member 38, the latter bends or warps in a downward direction, as viewed in Figure 1, or in an upward direction, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4, thus closing the circuit of the emergency lamp I9.

The lamp I9 is thus promptly -made effective as a substitute for the now ineiective main signal lamp I3, device 2 I causing the auxiliary lamp I9 tofiash. At the same time a suitable signal conveniently in the form of a lamp 5I bridged across conductors 26 and 28 is made effective to indicate that the relay 24 has operated due to some defect in the main signal system and that the auxiliary or stand-by circuit is operating. The circuit of signal 5I will be seen to be closed, under these conditions, at the contact buttons 36--39Il and will be seen to extend from the battery 20, signal device 5I, conductor 26, terminal stud l25, bi-metallic member 35, contact button 36, contact button 392- bi-metallic member 38, contact stud 23, and by way of conductor 22 back t0 the battery 20.

As soon, however, as the defect in the main signaling circuit has been remedied, as, for example, by replacement of the burnt out lamp I3 or by the restoration of current supply in the circuit leading to the lamp I3, if the latter has not been burned out, heater units 39-46 again become energized during those intervals when the 'lamp I3 is in darkness; the bi-metallic strip 38 becomes again heated and warps or bends in a direction to move the contact button 39* upwardly and henceaway from the contact button 36. The stand-by circuit is thus opened and signal device 5I made inoperative.

The thermal capacity of the heater units and immediately associated parts. (see Figure 9) as well as of the bi-metallic strip 33, is such that, although the voltage or current supplied to the heater units is of an intermittent character, being effective during the intervals that the lamp I3 is in darkness, the bi-metallic member 38 assumes a mean position sumcient to hold the contact button 39 out of contact with button 36 (Figure 1); or, stated differently, the parts have sufficient heat stored in them during the interval of energization by the current suiiicient to prevent such a cooling off and consequent warping of the bi-metallic member 38, during the next succeeding interval when the energizing currentv is interrupted, as will cause a movementof cntact 39'L into engagement with contact 36.

Inasmuch as systems and devices of the above described character are oftentimes subjected to wide changes in atmospheric temperature of a character to cause a change in the character of functioning or response of the relay. 24, contact button 36, as already above described, is prefer ably carried by or mounted uponabi-metallic strip such as the member 35. Thus any outside temperature changes due, for example,l t'lseasonal changes in temperature, are made t'r'have substantially like effects upon the relative positions of the contact buttons 36 and 39* and thus intended characteristics of the relay are main tained. Preferably the bi-metallic member 35 is heat-insulated from the heater units that'aifect the bi-metallic member 38 and conveniently the sheet-like member` 52 of a suitable non-conductor of heat, such as. asbestos for example. is interposed between the member 35 and the adjacent parts.

Bi-metallic member 36, moreover, is nickelplated and polished in order that any radiant heat energy will be reflected from the surface of the member 35 and particularly so that anypos-A sible heat energy from the heater units will be, by such reflection, prevented from undesirably affecting the temperature and action of the member 35. Bi-metallic member 38, however, is blackened with a material preferably lamp black in order to give it a high coeiiicient of heat absorption, thus to insure a rapid transfer of heat from the heater unit or units to the member 38; hence the latter is made to be quickly responsive to the heating eiect of the heater unit or units.

The exterior surface of the metal container 41 (see-Figures 2 and 9) is polished and is preferably nickel-plated and polished, thus to give the assemblage within which is contained the heater a low coeiiicient of heat radiation. I'his factor cooperates to heat insulatethe bi-metallic member 35. Also, by such a low coefhcient of heat radiation, the temperature to which the container 41 itself must be raised in order for it to radiate heat is materially raised and I am enabled thus to operate the heater units at a higher temperature than would otherwise be possible to increase the sensitivity of the member 38 and to eifect a much more rapid heating of the latter.

As above noted, the entire assemblage is contained within a substantially evacuated bulb or envelope 29, thus causing the device to function in an atmosphere of a pressure as low as 0.1 millimeter or less. This feature makes it possible to greatly improve the functioning of the device since loss of heat from the electric heater associated with bi-metallic member 38 by direct con-l ductionvis practically eliminated since there are no gases in the envelope that can function as conductors of heat; this leaves radiation as the only manner in which heat energy may be lost from the heater units and as a result I am enabled to operate the heater at a higher temperature with resultant greater sensitivity and greater reliability, and consistency of action. l

The removal of the gaseous content-from the envelope 29 serves also to give the resistance wire used in the heater units longer life in that harmful oxidation is substantially precluded. Also, I

am enabled to reduce to a negligible effect arcing above-assumed character, particularly wherey they are in the form of signaling buoys, airway beacons, or the like, are made to function substantially in the open and are subjected to seasonal and like climatic changes. However, by the coaction of various of the above described features of construction ami action of the relay 24, I am enabled to achieve a circuiti-controlling system and apparatus in which such changes and other atmospheric conditions are substantially precluded from causing. departures in the intended or desired functioning of the apparatus and system.

It will be seen that there has been provided in this invention a system and apparatus in which the various objects hereinbefore noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the apparatus is of simple and rugged construction, is inexpensive, is thoroughly reliable and prac- .tical in action, and is well adapted to meet the might be made in the embodiments above set 75 Iorth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a support within said vessel, a bimetallic member mounted upon said support, a contact carried by said bimetallic member, a pair of electrical heating units positioned upon opposite sides of said bimetallic member, a second bimetallic member mounted upon said support, a contact carried by said second bimetallic member, and an insulating member interposed between said electrical heating units and said second bimetallic member, said rst-mentioned bimetallic member having a relatively high coefficient of heat absorption and said second-mentioned bimetallic member having a relatively low coeilicient of heat absorption.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a support within said vessel, a casing aiilxed to said support, a pair of electrical heating units arranged in said casing, a bimetallic member attached to said support and extending through said casing, and a bimetallic member positioned outside of said casing and aiiixed to said support, said bimetallic members each carrying a contact adapted to engage upon prolonged deenergization of said heating units.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, supporting means within said vessel, a casing mounted upon said supporting means, electrical heating means arranged within said casing, a bimetallic member extending through said casing and aillxed to said supporting means, a bimetallic member situated outside said casing and affixed to said supporting means, and heat-insulating means associated with said casing and interposed between said heating means and said second-mentioned bimetallic member, said bimetallic members each carrying a contact adapted to engage or disengage according to the operation of said heating means.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a bimetallic member carrying a contact mounted within said vessel, electrical heating means within said vessel adapted to heat said bimetallic member, a heat responsive member carrying a contact mounted in said vessel, and heat-insulating means interposed between said heating means and said heat responsive member, said bimetallic member being coated with a heat-abstracting material and said heat responsive member being coated with a heatdeilecting material.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a bimetallic member carrying a contact mounted within said vessel, electrical heating means within said vessel adapted to heat said bimetallic member, a heat responsive member carrying a contact mounted in said vessel, and heat-insulating means interposed between said heating means and said heat responsive member, said bimetallic member being coated with lampblaek and said heat responsive member being nickel plated.

6. In a device of the character described, iri combination, an exhausted vessel, a support within said vessel, a casing mounted upon said support, heating means associated with said vessel including higher resistance coils connected with contacts outside said vessel, a bimetallic member afilxed to said support and extending through said casing between said coils, a bimetallic member affixed to said support and extending along the outside of said casing, and heat-insulating means interposed between said last-mentioned bimetallic member and said casing, said bimetallic members each carrying an electrical contact and being connected with contacts outside said vessel.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a support within said vessel, casing means secured to said support, a pair of high resistance coils within said casing means, a bimetallic member extending through said casing means and aiiixed to said support, said member being interposed between said coils, sheets of mica interposed between each of said coils and said bimetallic member, a bimetallic member aiiixed to said support and extending along the outer side of said casing means, and an insulating element aiiixed to said casing and interposed between said coils and said second-mentioned bimetallic member, said iirst mentioned bimetallic member adapted to engage or disengage said second-mentioned bimetallic member according to the operation of said coils.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, a bimetallic member mounted within said vessel, electrical heating means associated with said bimetallic member, a second bimetallic member mounted within said vessel, each of said bimetallic members carrying an electrical contact, heat insulating means interposed between said secondmentioned bimetallic member and said heating means, said bimetallic members adapted to bend in either direction a substantially uniform distance in response to the temperature conditions within which said vessel is maintained, means connecting each of said bimetallic members to contacts outside of said vessel, and means connecting said heating means to contacts outside oi' said vessel.

9. In a device of the character described, in combinatiom' a vertical bi-metallic member, a vertical thermo-responsive member, contacts secured to each of said members and adapted to engage when said members are in one position, a pair of heating elements adjacent the opposite sides of said bi-metallic member, said bi-metallic member adapted to bend when heated by said` heating elements so that said contacts engage, means for facilitating the passage of heat from said heating elements to said bi-metallic member, and means for impeding the passage of heat from said heating elements to said thermo-responsive member.

10. In a device of the character described, in

combination, an exhausted vessel having therein,

two circuit-controlling contacts, one of which is relatively fixed, a bi-metallic member for controlling the other contact, means giving said member a relatively high coeiilcient oi heat absorption, an electric heater for affecting said bivmetallic member, and means minimizing heat aosaoav heat-producing means for affecting said iirstmentioned bi-metallic member.

A12. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel having therein two circuit-controlling contacts, one of which is relatively xed, a bi-metallic member for controlling the other contact, a bi-metallic member carrying said relatively xed contact, means giving said second-mentioned bi-metallic member a relatively low c oeiiicient of heat absorption, heatproducing means for affecting said ilrst-mentioned bi-metallic member, and means giving said first-mentioned bi-metallic member a relatively high coeiilclent of heat absorption whereby said first-mentioned bi-metallic member absorbs a greater amount of heat from said heat-producing means than is absorbed by said second-mentioned bi-metallic member.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel having therein two circuit-controlling contacts, one of which is relatively xed; a. bi-metallic member for control-- ling the other contact, a bi-metallic member carrying said relatively xed contact, means giving said second-mentioned bi-metallic member a relatively low coeflicient of heat absorption, heat producing means for affecting said first-mentioned bi-metallic member, and means giving said heat-producing means a relatively low coeilcient of heat radiation whereby heat radiated therefrom is absorbed by said first-mentioned bimetallic member in greater quantities than by said second-mentioned bi-metallic member.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel having therein two circuit-controlling contacts, one of which is relatively fixed; a bi-metallic member for controlling the other contact, a bi-metallic member carrying said relatively iixed contact, means giving said second-mentioned bi-metallic member a relatively low coefficient of heat absorption; heatproducing means for affecting said first-mentioned bi-metallic member; means giving said heat-producing means a relatively low coeflicient of heat radiation, and means giving said iirstmentioned bi-metallic member a relatively high coefficient of heat absorption.

15. In a device of` the character described, in combination, a vertical bi-metallic member, a vertical thermo-responsive member, contacts secured to each of said members and adapted to engage when said members are in one position, a pair o! heating elements adjacent the opposite sides of said bi-metalllc member, said bi-metallic member adapted to bend when heated by said heating elements so that said contacts engage, means for facilitating the passage of heat from said heating elements to said bi-rnetallic member, means for impeding the passage of heat from said heating elements to said thermo-responsive member, and an exhausted vessel surrounding said heating elements and said members.

, 16. In a device of the character described, in combination, a heat responsive member, a contact secured thereto, a thermo-responsive member,.a contact secured thereto in substantial alignment with said last-mentioned contact, said members adapted to move substantially an equal distance at the same temperature, an electric heater located near said heat responsive member and adapted when operating to bend said heat responsive member so that said contacts engage, means interposed between said heater and said thermo-responsive member to hinder the passage of heat therebetween, and means interposed between said heat responsive member and said heater having a relatively high heat conductivity for facilitating the passage of heat therebetween.

17. In a. device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, an electric contact member mounted upon bimetallic material within said vessel, a second electric contact member mounted upon bimetallic material within said vessel, the characteristics of said bimetallic material in-each instance being such as to allow for a constant gap between said two contact members regardless of temperature changes in Isaid vessel, and means .for individually moving one of said contact members.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, an exhausted vessel, an electric contact member mounted upon a piece of bimetallic material within said vessel, a second electric contact member mounted upon a piece of bimetallic material within said vessel, the characteristics of said pieces of bimetallic material in each instance being such as to allow for a constant gap between said two contact members regardless of temperature changes in said vessel, and electric heating means within said vessel for affecting one of said pieces of bimetallic material, said other piece of bimetallic material being so constructed as to be substantially unaiected by said heating means.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, a bulb, a support within said bulb,

a metallic casing secured to said support, a pair of high resistance coils within said casing, a bimetallic member extending through said casing and affixed to said support, said bimetallic member being disposed between said coils, sheets of mica interposed between each of said coils and said bimetallic member and between each of said coils and the casing walls adjacent thereto, a bimetallic member ail'lxed to said support and ex-` tending along the outer side of said casing, and a heat insulating element interposed between said casing and said second-mentioned bimetallic member and affixed to said casing, said first-mentioned bimetallic member adapted to engage or disengage said second-mentioned bimetallic member according to the operation of the coils.

FRANK w. GoDsEY. Jn. 

